Nail changes in rheumatic disease

Clinically the nail organ ist easy to investigate. When estimating dermato- rheumatological diseases, knowledge of important associated nail symptoms i s extremely helpful. In some diseases like osteoarthropathia psoriatica and special variants, Reiter's syndrome and connective tissue disease, typical or even characteristic symptoms can be found. in other disorders like rheu matoid arthritits, goal and systemic vasculitis, associated nail disorders are not uncommon, but of less diagnostic specificity. We review data from t he literature and from our dermato-rheumatological outpatient clinic.